North Newtown Outside of School Hours Care

 Update of our Philosophy 2022

The philosophy is our vision that guides our beliefs, goals and values. Earlier this year all families had the opportunity to participate in the update of our philosophy.

The link below are the questions and the Coordinators responses.

• Please find those responses here.

  Your suggestions for improvement have been incorporated into the new document here.

What we believe

The children, families, and staff of NNOOSH acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation.  We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and their ongoing cultures and connections to the lands and waters of NSW.

We recognise, respect and value diversity in all its forms which includes racial, neurological, cultural, family type, gender, and sexuality. Community engagement and inclusion are at the forefront of all that we do.

NNOOSH aims to provide a ‘home-like’ atmosphere in which all children and families feel a sense of belonging and caring within a circle of trusting relationships. A home reflects a range of values whilst providing flexibility to meet individual needs. This is a core belief at NNOOSH.

 We focus on the whole family as a partnership, in which children are encouraged to have agency in their own decision-making and learn to communicate with others in a respectful way.  We strive to provide learning and nurturing for children and their families that will lead children to be confident and capable as they grow and develop.

Good communication is paramount and extends to those within the school who are also involved in the children’s’ lives. 

We believe that play-based learning is intrinsically valuable and essential to children’s growth and development on a social, emotional, and physical level. Play allows for the nurturing of a positive self-identity, self-expression, and well-being. Not only does play help the individual to develop fine and gross motor skills, but it also helps children to understand their potential, to experience relationships with others, to learn about enjoyment, adventure, sadness, and happiness and about life itself.

The development of social and emotional skills is central to what we believe. We encourage autonomy and independence.

We recognise, respect and value all families’ diversity by implementing a program which reflects our community cultures. Children are provided with a range of experiences to suit all ages and interests and are free to choose their activities within a stimulating environment.

Our behaviour guidance and program development are guided by evidence-based research that supports well-being outcomes. Programming is supported by reflective practice and discussion with the children and our Educators are encouraged to observe and extend the children’s’ interests and to support the children as they grow. We listen to the children, respect their rights, and include their perspectives. 

Our educators are leaders in our community and aim to make a positive difference. Our staff are our most valued asset.

We encourage our children to understand their community and celebrate diversity, respect their environment, and extend that knowledge to the wider world. We aim to provide a caring, safe but challenging and supportive environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued.

Ratified by the NNOOSH committee on 22.11.22 after extensive consultation with our community.

How we operate

NNOOSH is a community-based, not-for-profit, out-of-school-hours care organisation serving the needs of Newtown North Primary School community. NNOOSH may accept enrolments from children who do not attend NNPS subject to availability of places. We have 110 approved places for primary school-age children per session. 

The service is governed by a volunteer Parent Management Committee which is made up of parent volunteers whose children attend the service. The Committee oversees the governance of the centre and assumes the legal responsibilities of an Approved Provider. The Committee makes decisions about the service according to the NNOOSH constitution. They meet once a term with the Coordinator and other staff representatives to discuss NNOOSH policies, procedures, operational priorities and review everyday management. The Annual General meeting is held in Term 4 each year.

NNOOSH Inc is an incorporated association under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW).

We re-invest operational profits into the centre in the form of:

• Staffing and Professional Development  

• Resources for a range of play and leisure-based activities

• Educational resources

• Subsidising a range of extra-curricular activities

• Subsidising the excursion, incursion and additional vacation care costs

• A generous and nutritious menu provided each day

Every parent whose child attends NNPS and uses NNOOSH (either during regular school term or vacation care) is eligible for membership of NNOOSH. Membership is $2 per annum.

The quality of care provided by NNOOSH, and all OOSH services in NSW, is legally enforceable by the National Law (Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998) and National Regulations and is supported by a set of National Quality Standards (developed and administered by The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Approved number of places: The maximum number of children that can be educated and cared for by the service at any one time, stated on the service approval under section 52(g) of the National Law.

Approved provider: A person (committee president) who holds a provider approval (National Law). A provider approval authorises a person to apply for one or more service approvals and is valid in all jurisdictions.

Coordinator: A person employed or engaged by the approved provider to monitor the operation of the service and support the educators who are part of the service (National Law).

Nominated Supervisor: A person who is nominated by the approved provider of the service under Part 3 to be a nominated supervisor of that service; and has provided written consent to that nomination (National Law). The NNOOSH Co-ordinator fulfils the role of Nominated Supervisor

Responsible Person (RP): The responsible person is an individual who is physically present and is responsible for the operation of a centre-based service for an agreed period of time. An RP must be present at all times that the approved service operates and can be:

• the approved provider or a person with management or control of the service;

• a nominated supervisor of the service; or

• a person placed in day-to-day charge of the service in accordance with the National Regulations (National Law).

 Educational leader: The educational leader is an appropriately qualified and experienced individual designated in writing by the approved provider under regulation 118 to lead the development and implementation of educational programs in the service (National Regulations).

Educator: An individual who provides education and care for children as part of an education and care service (National Law).

ACECQA: The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) is an independent national authority that administers the National Quality Framework (NQF) for children's education and care. ACECQA is the authority which oversees the Assessment and Rating system for OOSH services. Link to the National Laws and Regulations: here.

Department of Education and Training: is the NSW licensing and compliance authority for OOSH services. The DET conducts compliance visits, including spot checks, and offers support and advice to services in NSW.

Quality Improvement Plan (QIP): Every OOSH service is required to demonstrate a cycle of ongoing quality improvement as part of their assessment for quality rating. This involves the input of all stakeholders including parents, community members, children and staff and further information about the services QIP can be found on the QIP page.